The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-02-17


Il think that, like the poor, YOU
have always with you," Isabel re.
piled, carelessly turning her head
aside.
'.Don't jest eternally. Isabel" Rob
ert Stanope cried. impatiently. y
wish you to speak earnestly, and |
want you to listen"
You We're jesting then about 90
ing?' she said, laughing, enjoying his
ill-humor
Would you care to know that |
was' Robert Stanope, asked, tender
ly.
why should care? You are use
full to me in entertaining my guests,
but think | prefer YOU should go, so
far, at least, as / have interest in the
matter.
1T is to assure myself of the extent
of that interest that 1 have brought
you here tonight With warm ear
gerness in his voice, and drawing his
chair closer to hers: Il feel that you
love me, Isabel."
Astonishment and indignation for a
few seconds sealed his companions S
lips, then:
''How ddre you insult me by such
words, she broke forth. How dare
you address such language to me?"
Il dare upon the right my love and
your permission of it give" he said,
calmly.
81 deny your right either to insult
or love me-" Isabel said Indignantly.
as tears of modification sprang to her
eyes.
''Why have you allowed me to visit
you for six months daily? You cam
not afford much Indignation if | haze
misunderstood you. Peream would
see the ridiculous side of it, you
know"
s'Peredm?''
E'Have you supposed Peream had its
eyes shut?" he asked, angrily. But,
pshaw! its ridiculous if you pretend
not to know that our names are to-
gether in every mouth in the town.
The fact that no letters havekcOme re-
Gently with an Elko postmark has
added to the interest"
Isabel stood silent. Her power of
speech seemed to have forsaken her.
At length she said, in a strained, un-
natural tone:
''Do you really mean it? L should
least have expected this from yOu,
Robert StanOpe," she concluded, turn
ing suddenly toward him.
why from me?" the young man
said quickly. 'sDo l not love you?
Was it for me to dictate the proprie-
ties to Mrs. Stuart?'' he said, mock
ingly. ''Oh, Isabel, why did l give
you up?" his tone suddenly changed
to a pleading one. Il feel senseless
with agony in the thought of parting
from you. How can l go? You cared
for me once. You do care
81 despise your she burst forth in
angry indignation. Il must greatly
have descended since you dare to adj
dress me thus. Perhaps l owe this to
some of Peream's scandal loving
tongues. 1t may be that to them,
too, | owe the loss of my one chief
joy, my husbands letters. 1t is true
no longer receive them. may never
see him again. cannot tell how far
the poison is buried, but can tell you
that John Stuart though dead to me
perhaps, has all the love of his wife's
individual heart"
As Mrs. Stuart said good-by to her
guests that evening she announced, in
an incidental, careless fashion. that
she was saying goOd-by for a longer
space than usual; she would start the
next day but one for Nevada. She
- h.a1, S1,Nr -
her husband had not come to her she
had resolved to go to him. Day was
breaking in the east when the last car
riage rolled away, and Isabel, feeling
heavy of heart yet firm in her new re-
solve, paused for moment over the
dying hall fire before beginning her
busy day of preparation.
Suddenly deep, strange, yet famil-
lar voice broke the stiffness, and a pair
of strong arms were around her, as
their ow ner said:
Thank God. l can at last claim my
wife, | reached Peream yesterday. /
could not endure it longer without see
ing you, yet should have gone back
undiscovered but for your sweet con-
feSsion ill the conservatory last night
my darling. How can L bear the
delight of feeling that my wife really
loves me! My little grass-widow, who
never shall be one any more-Isabel,
have you a word of greeting for me9
And will you forgive me for caves
dropping? had only meant to see
You and go away again-I could not
retreat, and was obliged to hear what
alone could have given me permission
to claim my wife,